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Exhibition review: PPG present anti-terror crash bollards and hits the nerves of a multitude of visitors

On Thursday, 18th January 2018, the fifth Perimeter Protection 2018 in Nuremberg, trade fair for security technology and perimeter protection, ended. Over three days, a total of 135 exhibitors, including 56 international, presented their innovations in the field of mechanical and electronic security solutions to more than 3.600 visitors. The portfolio of exhibitors included not only classic perimeter products but also electronic components such as surveillance cameras and biometric access controls. Perimeter Protection Germany GmbH (PPG), German subsidiary of the internationally operating Perimeter Protection Group, presented innovative crash bollards with impact load for preventive and effective protection of inner-city areas and public spaces. Kira Lichte, Marketing PPG, resumes: „We are very satisfied with the fair. Especially the high quality, but also the orientation of the numerous visitors at our booth shows us that our focus on High Security for public spaces is more relevant than ever.” Hansruedi Voß, PPG sales manager adds: “The demand is increasing rapidly and the trend is clearly moving away from the classic traffic bollard for simple traffic regulation, to crash bollards with impact protection, which is mandatory to be certified and proven.”

In addition to assembling companies from the fence-, gate- and metalworking sector, visitors to the Perimeter Protection 2018 increasingly included security officers from large industrial companies, local and long-distance transport, airports, energy, fire brigades, prisons, police and military, decision-makers from municipalities and public authorities as well as planners and architects. This is hardly surprising given the current security situation in Europe. PPG has hit the nerve of the target group with their solutions on show at the booth. Hansruedi Voß confirms: “In order to respond better to the rapidly increasing security needs of inner-city or highly frequented areas, such as stadiums, we have expanded our portfolio with cost-effective, decorative security bollards that have quickly become a crowd puller.” He adds: “These decorative bollards are extremely economical. If one of these bollards is damaged by slight collisions, for example during shunting, the stainless-steel shrouds can be easily replaced without renewing the concrete foundation. The main attraction is that the bollards can be optionally hidden in modern, high-quality street furniture, such as flower boxes or equipped with bike stands. This is a very important factor that must be taken into consideration when it comes to security concepts for public spaces, because these require subtle solutions that blend in with everyday life without attracting negative attention. “

The latest addition to the sliding gate product line with a new, type-tested steel sliding gate was also convincing. Like all our own PPG products, the new sliding gate is made in Germany and offers variable gate fillings, a high operating speed and radio-controlled safety contact strips! In addition, PPG offers one of the most modern and efficient controls in the market. Kira Lichte summarises: “The fair definitely was a success. We would like to thank all our visitors for their interest in our solutions and the professional conversations.”

PPG is pleased to announce that its fixed, shallow mounted M50 bollard which had (up until now) only been crash tested to ASTM F2656-07 resulting in an M50/P1 designation is now also available with PAS 68:2013 as well as IWA 14-1:2013 crash test certification following the successful arrest of a European flat bed truck N3/N3C travelling at 80 kph. This makes the fixed bollard M50 the fourth product from PPG’s comprehensive product range to bear a valid and genuine certification as per all three worldwide recognised crash test standards – i.e. ASTM F2656, PAS 68 and IWA 14-1 respectively. This furthermore increases the number of crash test certificates held by PPG to a staggering total of 28.

The crash test conditions for the fixed bollard remained unchanged in terms of installation details, i.e. the bollard was vehicle impact tested as triple unit with

The achieved performance classification of V/7500[N3]/80/90:0.4/15.4 and performance rating of V/7200[N3C]/80/90:0.8 are in line with the P1 penetration rating previously realised with the ASTM crash test. The slight increase in vehicle penetration comes as no surprise in view of the

– increased kinetic energy of the impacting truck due to the higher test vehicle weight and
– reduced “crush zone” in front of the vehicle datum point (i.e. the leading edge of the load platform) of the European truck compared to the American truck

At the Perimeter Protection 2018, international exhibition for perimeter protection, fencing and building security, which takes place from 16th – 18th January 2018 in the Nuremberg Exhibition Center, Perimeter Protection Germany GmbH will be presenting its trend-setting product innovations for an effective outdoor protection. The focus is on certified High Security products such as crash bollards and gates.

In order to respond better to the rapidly increasing security needs of inner-city areas or areas with high visitor flows such as football stadiums, PPG has expanded its portfolio with cost-effective, decorative crash bollards with particularly shallow foundations and presents them to visitors. CARSTOPPER 30, TRUCKSTOPPER 6-30 and TRUCKSTOPPER 7-40 are ideally suited for the protection of inner-city areas. Its slim design, combined with revolutionary spring-loaded technology and a shallow foundation depth of only 200mm reduces the need to re-divert utilities, making it predestined where space is limited.

The systems are the most economical on the market and very aesthetically pleasing. These bollards are compact and easy to install. Their system is designed to follow the contours of the ground and can go around corners. If the posts get damaged during an attack they can be removed from the slipper box and replaced without the need to replace the concrete foundation. Once fitted the only maintenance is to repaint when needed or the bollard can be covered with a mild or stainless-steel shroud. Furthermore, the bollards can be hidden in modern street furniture, for example bicycle racks, flower boxes and more.

Innovation in steel gates

One of the latest developments in the Access Control area, which PPG will have on show, is the latest expansion of their steel sliding gate product line that the company is manufacturing at its site in Germany. The new sliding gate convinces with a high operation speed, freedom from distortion due to minimised heat input in the manufacturing process, radio-controlled contact strips and variable gate infill! In addition, PPG offers one of the most modern and efficient controls on the market. Furthermore, PPG informs about its own coating process TRI-PROTECT®. As long-term load tests with approx. 2000 h in the salt spray mist without loss of the surface protection according to DIN 50021 clearly proves, that there is no infiltration of the coating with TRI-PROTECT®! Without maintenance, it can only lead to a standard-compliant formation of red rust. In this case, surface damage can be touched up without great effort to avoid this. Also in terms of environmental compatibility, the VOC-compliant, solvent-free application achieves plus points. Compared to competition, TRI-PROTECT® is the most ecological method because there is no use of zinc. In addition, the process convinces due to its lower energy requirements.

The PPG team looks forward to seeing you at their booth no. 416 in hall 12 and will be happy to provide you with a free visitor voucher in advance if you are interested.

The security requirements for public facilities are growing rapidly. This is especially true of prominent football stadiums, such as the Allianz Arena in Munich. High visitor numbers, worldwide media presence, but also stringent requirements for structural security require particularly effective, holistic perimeter protection concepts. The Allianz Arena offers a total of 75,000 seats at Bundesliga games. The outer protection of a stadium must be designed in such a way as to ensure a preventive securing, regulating and controlling of huge passenger and vehicle flows in and around the stadium. Among others, this is to avoid panic, turmoil or overfilling in the stadium and to ensure a quick and smooth evacuation, e.g. in case of fire. But threats are changing. Especially the ever more aggressive terrorism and attacks on people gathering with violently invading vehicles forming an additional central risk factor.

Therefore, in April this year, the Perimeter Protection Germany GmbH, the German subsidiary of the global acting Perimeter Protection Group (PPG) was commissioned by the Allianz Arena to implement the perimeter protection concept of the stadium. The aim was to secure the north and south side of the property effectively against terrorist attacks with vehicles such as trucks. The west and east sides are protected by a highway and buildings from such attacks. The whole project should be realized by the end of July. PPG has a good reputation due to former High Security projects, for example the Jewish Community in the centre of Munich. Together with the well-known Munich engineering office BPR Dr. Ing. Schäpertöns Consult GmbH & Co. KG, PPG implemented the solution consisting of a mix of 70 fixed and movable M30 crash bollards, which the company manufactures in Germany. The bollard systems certified as per international standards PAS 68, ASTM and IWA 14-1 stop vehicles with different impact velocities, according to their classification. Depending on the security requirements, Perimeter Protection Group offers different movable or fixed crash bollards. Pedestrians may enter unhindered but vehicle traffic is to be stopped. They come along with fast operating times and shallow foundations. Ready-to-install bollard units with separate control box allow quick and easy installation in all climate zones. Our crash bollards offer reliable operation and are of course low maintenance. When lowered, these can be easily driven over as per bridge class SLW 60, without hindering the operational necessary vehicle traffic, e.g. for service work. Nevertheless, they effectively block areas with longer access routes, even against heavy vehicles such as trucks, by lifting out of the ground in seconds in case of emergency.

Alfons Trapp, PPG Sales Bavaria, summarises: „Thanks to the professional cooperation of all involved, the project was completed smoothly and on time. The implemented solution is not only secure, but also visually emphasises the aesthetic character of this architectural masterpiece. “

From 25th – 26th September 2017, the second PPG Distributor Meeting was held in our training and exhibition centre Security World in Germany. Exchange, product news as well as interesting project-presentations from our global distributors made this event a great success. The agenda was rounded up by the launch of a new product range – the new PPG decorative crash bollards as street furniture. These PAS 68 certified bollards are ideally suited for the securing of inner city areas and public places, as they can be hidden in modern street furniture, such as bicycle racks or flower boxes. As a little seasonal surprise, PPG organised a traditional ‘Oktoberfest’ dinner in the evening. During the second day, the Export Department offered training on demand hands-on installed product. Thanks to all our distributors, who came from all around the globe for their participation!

High security with impact protection is becoming more and more relevant. The security sector, but especially the municipalities and safety authorities, are under strong pressure due to the constantly growing demands because of the currently changing dangers. The change is more present than ever before. Until now, high security products and systems for fence detection and outdoor monitoring have been used predominantly in areas such as prisons or forensics, embassies, military sites, nuclear power plants, airports or other critical infrastructures. But new threats, such as the increasingly aggressive, religiously motivated terrorism, the increase in vandalism, sabotage and organised theft require new or extended security concepts. The requirements are increasing in all areas, while complexity is also increasing. Also certifications become more and more relevant.

The central theme at present is the strengthening of the protection of inner-city areas and public places. The very controversial law package presented by Federal Minister of the Interior, Thomas de Maizière after the amok run in Munich and the attack in Ansbach and recently on the Berlin Christmas market at Breitscheidplatz, anticipates an expansion of video surveillance of public, highly frequented places such as shopping centres – after corresponding amendment of the Data Protection Act in the sense of increased security. By May 2018, the Federal Data Protection Act is to be replaced by the EU Data Protection Code. Political opponents of this package, such as Frank Tempel, member of the German parliament and the left party in Germany considers it to be senseless. In the Berlin-Brandenburg radio, he spoke of “placebos for the subjective feeling of security” because potential perpetrators could simply adapt themselves to video surveillance and act accordingly. In practice, video surveillance serves the more easily verifiable check-up and verification of facts like the recent case of the “Berlin metro kicker” has shown. After the publication of the monitoring video, a companion of the perpetrator could be identified promptly. The video was spread rapidly in the worldwide web and in social networks, the search pressure rose and shortly thereafter the police could establish the identity of the alleged perpetrator and arrest him. Definitely a success, but no effective or preventive protection!

The fact is that, for example, the instrumentalisation of vehicles for attacks by the IS is a threat that cannot be countered solely by an increased video surveillance. Konstantin von Notz, politician from the German green party told the Berlin newspaper: “A thousand cameras at Breitscheidplatz would not have preventedthis terrible attack”. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of a pure video surveillance system can be argued, since constant monitoring of personnel is necessary to verify real emergencies or to exclude false alarms in order to initiate an intervention by the law enforcement agencies.

For this reason, the trend of combining different components in all areas of security definitely makes sense. The selection of the “matching system” and the optimum combination depends on various criteria. In addition to the type of risk, the level of protection, the offenders profile and the possible threat-form also contour and texture of the building or terrain are the decisive factors. Securing of inner-city areas is challenging due to the fact that they are partly very close to buildings or are subject to fundamental restrictions due to underground pipes and pipelines or because of heavy traffic from vehicles or persons. Another central factor is the visual appearance of a security concept in public areas. Visually deterrent concepts are not wanted here as they create feelings of constantly present threats and ultimately create further fear. Berlin has responded to the attack with a stronger police-presence and heavy concrete blocks as short-term solution.

However, in the long term, it is important to have modern, preventively working security solutions, which can be integrated into the environment in a discreet, but effective way. Hansruedi Voß, PPG sales manager says: “The keyword is prevention!I am of the opinion that High Security products with impact load are an ideal and preventive complement to the protection of e.g. pedestrian zones or other public areas which can be reached by vehicles on access roads. Crash-tested movable bollards such as those from elkosta for example, are not really present in the lowered position. But at the same time they can be easily crossed without hindering traffic. In case of emergency, they block roadways or entire areas effectively, even against heavy vehicles such as trucks by raising out of the ground in seconds.However, for permanently secured areasfixed bollards are also suitable. The impact load of such products is documented by international crash test certifications, which are given to the products after real, successful tests under real conditions.Depending on the standard, vehicles with a speed of up to 80 km/h (up to 7.5 ton /h) bounce onto the bollard systems and come to a standstill immediately. Such tests as elkosta is carrying out for about 30 years are absolutely necessary in order to ensure the mandatory security of High Security products.”

He adds: “The elkosta High Security range includes further impact-tested products, certified according to international standards PAS 68, ASTM and IWA 14-1, such as wedge barriers, crash gates, bollards and many more.Further USPs are the particularly flat foundations, which are usual for elkosta products.For example, the elkosta Wedge II is characterised by its incredibly flat foundation of only 200 mm plus 100 mm road covering – a milestone in the field of wedge barriers. With its decreased installation depth and foundation footprint combined with the lowest foundation thickness in the world, the new ‘Wedge II’ reduces installation costs significantly and allows installation in areas where foundation depths are limited due to underground utilities.”

It is clear that a long-term security solution must be found in the short term, which can be implemented quickly and easily in many places. In the end, only a complete, consistent security concept, which ensures a secure shielding with a sufficient distance to the respective perimeter, can really protect in case of emergency. Voß concludes: “Comprehensive perimeter protection in public areas can only be created by a combination of mechanical and electronic components.Depending on the type of perimeter, this should include an exterior protection with crash bollards or other certified, impact-tested barriers, vehicle sluices with quick folding gates or a barrier-sliding gate combinationif necessary, entrance and access control systems for pedestrians as well as additional video monitoring. For places like the Berlin Breitscheidplatz, however, High Security crash bollards are definitely in forefront, since these ensure that an unauthorized vehicle does not even reach such an area but is effectively stopped before. “

On 22nd & 23rd March 2017, Brussels Expo is hosting the 11th edition of Belgium’s largest safety & security event. Secura is the major B2B event for personal security, health & safety and goods and building security demands. The Secura biennial trade show is the largest Belgian meeting point for safety coordinators, facility managers and security managers.

Perimeter Protection Groups appreciated Belgian partner, Afsluitingen Noyez is part of the party. Among others, the company is going to present PPGs High Security products like the innovative Wedge II, the type-tested EntraQuick® I, the brand-new Tyre Killer Shark as well as the internationally certified crash-tested Bollard M50. The two companies look back on 10 years of good, professional cooperation and share a lot of experience from different joint projects in the Belgian area.

Already in the run-up to the trade fair, Noyez was able to record success after the company could win the award for most visitors’ registrations. So Noyez was able to send competitors such as Betafence and Engie nv Cofely fabricom to the rear places.

The road to security

In summer of 2016, Perimeter Protection Germany GmbH, the German subsidiary of the global acting Perimeter Protection Group, received a request about securing the company premises of IMS Messsysteme GmbH from Heiligenhaus. Founded in 1980, the company develops and produces isotope, x-ray and optical measuring systems for industrial use in the steel, aluminium and metal industries. The head office is located in Heiligenhaus in the north-western part of Germany and currently has a workforce of around 450 employees on five continents.

The request included a combination of sliding gates and fence. The aim was to close the public road, which divides the companies’ site with a sliding gate on both sides. In order not to interrupt everyday operation, a quick opening and closing of the gate system had to be ensured. In addition, the solution had to meet the guidelines of the Known Shipper (bV) or the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO). The very narrow road and little reversing space posed a challenge. After thorough evaluation of the local conditions and joint on-site consultation, the long-term partners PPG and nedap Technology partner nTp for Security Management GmbH, specialist in security technology and access control systems, could convince with an innovative overall solution that was perfectly tailored to IMS needs. The two companies look back on many years of good, professional cooperation and share a lot of experience from different joint projects. Frank Hironimus from nTp explains: „During our long-term and good cooperation, we and PPG have made good experience with the combination of products of both parties. They can be combinedeasily, which allows us to offer our customers fast, professional and qualitative security solutions they can rely on.”

Beside fence and swing gates, the implemented solution includes four of the innovative PPG EntraQuick® quick folding gates. In combination with UHF wide-range readers, approaching vehicles can be detected automatically up to a distance of four meters. With appropriate authorisation, the gates will open automatically within four seconds. Visitors without vehicle identification can register themselves at one of the four IP-Intercoms at the reception. With the help of the convenient software, the gates can then be opened conveniently by mouse-click. In addition, the area is monitored by two IP video cameras. “Compared with a sliding gate or a combined gate and barrier installation, the type-tested EntraQuick® quick folders offer several advantages when securing access roads. In closed position they offer full-height perimeter protection. They do not require reversing space and offer obstacle-free passage due to its trackless design, coupled with very fast operating times. Moreover, thanks to the pre-assembled drive post and folding leaf unit, the doors are virtually installed in the twinkling of an eye without unnecessarily interrupting daily operation. The WE-Tronic II automatic-control-system with integrated frequency converter also offers programmable relay outputs or inputs as well as plug-in modules for a wide variety of control options for individual customisation.” tells Helmut Napp, PPG sales representative und adds: „So we could offer a tailored solution that meets our customers’ requirements accurately. “

From 20th – 21st February 2017, the first PPG Distributor Meeting was held in our training and exhibition centre Security World in Germany. The first day was a day full of exchange, product news, interesting project-presentations and a joint barbecue in the evening. Beside a relaxed business breakfast, which was accompanied by a speech of Majority Owner Mikael Ahlström, our Export Department offered training on demand hands-on installed product during the second day. Thanks to all of our distributors, who came from all around the globe for their participation!